PUBLISHED 20 December 2024
The first half of the hockey season was bought to a festive close for Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils at AKS as all the girls in the year took part in the annual Inter House Competition with many getting into the true festive spirit playing in festive costumes and Christmas jumpers and onesies.
Team players joined non-team players to play for their House and strive to be crowned House Champions as well as earn valuable House points. The competition run on a round robin basis saw the four houses play 3 matches against each other and there was some superb hockey on show and lots of goals scored.
The Year 9 tournament saw the girls really get in the festive spirit with some superb outfits on show, especially goalkeeper Jenay G who received a prize for ‘the best fancy dress’. The competition was a close fought one with the top two houses only separated by goal difference! The first round of matches saw Leighton and Salmesbury win and when they met in the second round it was a tight affair. Both teams had chances to score in the first half but great defending saw the scores level at the break. The second half went the way of the first with both teams playing some superb passing hockey and creating scoring opportunities but neither could find the back of the net and at the final whistle they could not be separated and both teams had to settle for the draw. Going in to the final round of matches the top spot was still up for grabs but a superb final match from Salmesbury saw them score more goals than Leighton and hence they were crowned Year 9 House Champions. Leighton claimed second spot with Rufford 3rd and Gawthorpe 4th.
The Year 8 competition saw a reversal of fortunes for Gawthorpe as they topped the table to be crowned Year 8 House Champions. Playing some superb hockey Gawthorpe proved too strong for the other houses and were followed in second place by Salmesbury with Leighton 3rd and Rufford fourth.
The Year 7 girls, playing their first House Hockey competition, also played some superb hockey and showed how much they have improved since joining the senior school in September. Everyone got in to the spirit of the House event and worked superbly as a team. Gawthorpe again proved to be the top house as they remained undefeated in all three games to be crowned champions. Second spot was closely contested and Leighton and Rufford could not be separated and were placed joint second with Salmesbury in fourth.
All the tournaments were played in a fantastic spirit with everyone playing their part for their House Team and demonstrating a superb level of hockey and it was a great way to finish the term for everyone.